Francis maeion watson



(NoModeL) F. M. WATSON.

AXLE SKEIN.

Patented'A'ug. 30, 1887.

A es-t. I Inz nt'or.

- .Atggs.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS MARION WATSON, OF COLUMBIA, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD TO FRANK H. SMITH, ,OF SAME PLACE.

AXLE-SKEIN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 369,142, dated August 30, 1887.

' Application filed April 18,1887. Serial N 0. 235,163. (No model.)

.To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS MARION WAT- soN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Golumbia,Tennessee, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Axle-Skeins, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to axle-skeins, its object being to produce a cheap and efficient skein which may be easily applied by unskilled persons and with ordinary tools such, for example,as are ordinarily found on farms.

My invention is illustrated in nying drawings, in which-' Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of the axle and skein complete; Fig. 2, a longitudinal vertical section of same, and Fig. 3 a cross-section in the plane as w of Fig. 2.

As clearly indicated in the drawings, the skein A consists of two half-round strips of cast-iron or steel, a a, merged at the outer end in a tip, 12, from which projects a stud, 0, adapted to receive a nut, d, which may be threaded upon the stud or held by a pin, as indicated by dotted lines. The two strips a, (or properly skeins, the present device being a double skein,) with the tip I) and stud c, are cast as one homogeneous piece, with flat interior faces bounding a longitudinal wedge shaped opening, and with outsides curved to the contour of the general cone of the axle, and adapted to fit the wheelbox. Near the rear end of the skein is an enlarged shoulder, e, constituting a rear abutment for the wheel-box, and the lower one of the sides a may be further extended, as at f,

"to reach and be secured by the bolt f of the hounds. The skein thus constructed is double and forms a facing for the upper and lower sides of the axle A. As will be obvious, it may be cast without coring, and to tirely through both strips and the apply the same it is only necessary to dress off the upper and lower sides of the axle to wedge form (which may be done with a common tool, such as a spokeshave or jackknife,) to fit the opening of the skein, and to secure the skein by rivets g, passing enax'le, or by wood-screws g, (the latter shown in dotted lines in Fig.2.) The finishing or rounding of the wood to fit the wheel-boxing may be done by the same tools after the skein is secured to its position.

the accon1pa-- The advantages of my improvement reside in its cheapness, case of application and efiiciency, with reference to the application of the device under circumstances of farm use. As breakages of wagon-axles are frequent, and skilled mechanics are often remote and inaccessible, my invention is adapted to supply a needed want and enable the farmer or sides may be brought to a sharper angle toward the tip I), if desired, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2, in order to give increased strength toward the outer end of the axle.

The skein is to be furnished complete as an article of manufacture and sale as cast, with only such smoothing as may be given with a rough file, with nut held by screw-threads or by a pin, as found desirable, and pierced for' the insertion of the holding rivets g or screws 9.

I claim as my invention an@ desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates- 1. As a new article of manufacture, the improved axle-skein A, consisting of the two segmental conical strips a a, merging in the solid tip d c, and provided at the rear with the circular shoulder e 6, said strips bounding a flat wedge-shaped opening to receive the axle A, substantially as set forth.

2. As a new article of manufacture, the improved axle-skein A, consisting of the segmental conical strips a a, merging in the solid tip (1 0, provided at the rear with circular shoulders e e and bounding a flat wedgeshaped opening, the under one of said strips being extended beyond the upper one to engage with the bolt of the hounds, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof Ihave hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANCIS MARION WATSON.

Witnesses:

J OHN A. ENGLE, R. O. GANT. 

